New York
#1 Fashion Event
Held every February and September, the event reigns as the most important U.S. showcase for established and up-and-coming designers. About 125,000 people attend each edition, which is presented by IMG at various locations around the city. In 2016, highlights included Tom Ford’s lavish, star-studded gala streamed live from the Four Seasons New York Hotel Downtown to Kanye West’s ambitious but critically maligned outdoor performance art/runway show that saw models fainting from the heat. Several brands and retails jumped on the see-now, buy-now trend, offering looks available to purchase now rather than collections available months in the future. Macy’s Presents Fashion’s Front Row—held at the Theater at Madison Square Garden and shown as an E! Entertainment Television special—returned for a second year, with performances by Ariana Grande and Flo Rida; runway showcases for designers such as Betsey Johnson, Tommy Hilfiger, and Kenneth Cole. Next: February 2017
New York
#2 Fashion Event
The museum—in collaboration with Vogue magazine—produces the invitation-only event for about 610 guests, including a mix of A-list celebrities. This year’s theme, “Manus X Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology,” had attendees sporting tech-forward fashion, with Claire Danes, Beyoncé, and Katy Perry landing on many “best-dressed” lists for the event, which raised about $13.5 million. The gala’s prestige has grown to the point that it got its own documentary, The First Monday in May, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. Next May 1, 2017
New York
#3 Fashion Event
Even as competitors arise, the event continues to be the fashion industry’s most important U.S. award show. In 2016, the council and sponsor Swarovski presented the ceremony at the 2,200-seat Hammerstein Ballroom. Beyoncé, Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan, Norma Kamali, and the late David Bowie were among the honorees. Actor Joel McHale hosted the show, which also had performances from Jennifer Hudson and Michael C. Hall. Next: June 2017
